Help with setting up tank

[curlyq]

I've been lurking on the forum here and at RC for a while reading and researching as much as I can, but I still need some help setting up my first tank. I have a big list of questions that I have, most simple, but a long one nonetheless. This may be a bit of an odd question, but instead of starting a hundred threads, is there anyone that would be willing to sit down with me just for coffee or something and help explain things to me? I don't think I'm totally incompetent, but I just think face-to-face may be a little easier. I have the general idea down, but I want to set up right the first time (I know, I know, you'll always be changing something, but I don't want to make any stupid/costly mistakes).

About myself: I'm a 3rd year graduate student in mechinical engineering at the U studying biomedical devices. I'm unfortunately heading to Indianapolis for the summer so I'm trying to get as much figured out before I go so I can slowly accumulate over the summer before I set-up this fall. Thanks in advance for any help!

Ryan

[Jubei]

You might want to stop by one of the meetings and gather some info there. I think Mary is having one this Sat.

[wes]

at the meeting there will be a ton of people who will be willing to help you out. I'm a relative newbie who can tell you a lot of pitfalls to avoid, ones that people who've been doing it for a while may have forgotten... heh. any mary herself has always been very helpful in answering my questions. going to the meeting would be a killer choice.

[mtfatwork]

I've been lurking on the forum here and at RC for a while reading and researching as much as I can, but I still need some help setting up my first tank. I have a big list of questions that I have, most simple, but a long one nonetheless. This may be a bit of an odd question, but instead of starting a hundred threads, is there anyone that would be willing to sit down with me just for coffee or something and help explain things to me? I don't think I'm totally incompetent, but I just think face-to-face may be a little easier. I have the general idea down, but I want to set up right the first time (I know, I know, you'll always be changing something, but I don't want to make any stupid/costly mistakes).

About myself: I'm a 3rd year graduate student in mechinical engineering at the U studying biomedical devices. I'm unfortunately heading to Indianapolis for the summer so I'm trying to get as much figured out before I go so I can slowly accumulate over the summer before I set-up this fall. Thanks in advance for any help!

Ryan


Ryan, I am having a meeting this Sat from 2-5 if you are not busy, pm me and I can get you directions. If you come around 4pm you can hang out for a bit and meet some folks (and get full access to the club), just hang around for a bit after 5 until the crowd dies down, and I would be happy to answer and Q's you have.

LMK,
Mary

[BiochemRobyn]

LOL... Ryan, I've got to warn you-

once you see Mary's set-up, you'll be dumbfounded for a week and start watching the boards and craigslist like a maniac for a 220 gallon tank.

I know- I've been there :biggrin:

[curlyq]

BiochemRobyn- I can only imagine! I've been drooling at larger setups online, but my wallet won't let me go any bigger. I had my 58 gallon from freshwater fish, and am going to convert to SW.

Thank you everyone for the invite to the meeting, but unfortunately I'm out of town this weekend for a wedding. (not unfortunately for the wedding, but for meeting you all and getting things figured out) Thank you for the invite though!

[rihanssu]

Robyn don't get a 220 get a 180, same foot print but they are shorter, easier to clean and such =) you need a scuba mask to clean the bottem of a 220 =(

[Soltaker]

LOL... Ryan, I've got to warn you-

once you see Mary's set-up, you'll be dumbfounded for a week and start watching the boards and craigslist like a maniac for a 220 gallon tank.

I know- I've been there :biggrin:


Serious or are you joking?

[thegrimreefer]

Robyn don't get a 220 get a 180, same foot print but they are shorter, easier to clean and such =) you need a scuba mask to clean the bottem of a 220 =(

No, no... Our 220s are custom.

Extra deep front to back, but not as tall top to bottom. Definately will NOT fit on a stand meant for a standard 180.

[spsick]

basically a laid down 220, that's ideal!

[thegrimreefer]

We thought so :)

[rihanssu]

lol i have a laid down 220 that is 1 foot 6 inches longer ;P but i was speaking about a stock 220, not you guy'es 220's on crack!

[wolmutt]

I can meet up with you, Ryan. I am just graduating from grad school and unfortunately do not have a job yet so I have lots of time. Anytime next week works for me. I am really close to the east bank of the U by the witches hat on the edge of prospect park. Give me a call.

Matt
651-341-5215

[wes]

I can meet up with you, Ryan. I am just graduating from grad school and unfortunately do not have a job yet so I have lots of time. Anytime next week works for me. I am really close to the east bank of the U by the witches hat on the edge of prospect park. Give me a call.

Matt
651-341-5215

that is incredibly close to me, too. I live maybe 3 blocks tops from the hat. maybe we could all meet at cupcake for coffee or the like.

[wolmutt]

Wes that works for me. Are you in prospect park? I really like the houses in that area. I've seen the cupcake but never been. Is it a coffee shop? Being so close we could go over tank methods used while actually showing the tank... I wonder what his budget is....I've never been really good with budgeting when it comes to this hobby, hence the brokeness, ha.

[curlyq]

That sounds pretty good! Thanks for the offer. Unfortunately my budget isn't very large. That's a big part of the reason I'd like to get things figured out early so I have lots of time to look for deals on things. I'm free pretty much all week, so whenever works for you two works for me. I'm out of town now and likely won't get back to a computer until Sunday night, but you can post here or PM and let me know if any plans develop. Thanks again for the offer and I'm looking forward to meeting you two.

[storrisch]

Wes that works for me. Are you in prospect park? I really like the houses in that area. I've seen the cupcake but never been. Is it a coffee shop? Being so close we could go over tank methods used while actually showing the tank... I wonder what his budget is....I've never been really good with budgeting when it comes to this hobby, hence the brokeness, ha.

and the skimmer collection :trout2:

[wes]

I'm gettin' hitched this summer, so I'm big into budgeting, though not my intention... all the corals I've got have been pretty much freebies, almost all the gear is hand me downs, so you can see what a cheap (aka mostly brown) collection looks like. I'd be glad to show you what I'm up to, just need a fair bit of notice to clean the place up. also no hatin' on my humble abode. :-) monday might also work, just LMK ASAP so I can fancy the place up a touch.

and yes, cupcake is a coffee shop that sells delicious cupcakes. I'm about a 3-5 min walk from there.

[wolmutt]

Wes, very cool, no worries. We will see what works for culyQ on Sunday. Anybody need a skimmer ;)

[wes]

what skimmer?

[wolmutt]

You serious? I've always got a skimmer or two for sale. I'll show you the EuroReef CS 135 when we get together with CurlyQ.

[curlyq]

Well I'm back in town now. Great wedding, went well (no rain!) and lots of fun. Like I said before, I'm available almost any time that works well with you two. If Monday is too soon, maybe Tuesday? Morning or afternoon? Would somewhere around 10:30 - 11 work? Let me know! Thanks.

[wolmutt]

I'm busy tomorrow after 6pm, Tuesday I am free until 7pm, Wednesday until 7pm...

[wes]

tomorrow I'm busy in the am, but sometime before 6 would work best for me. All other days of the week it looks like I've got the opposite schedule as you--work until about 6 or 7 weekdays. If tomorrow afternoon works for you, that'd be awesome. Around 3 would be perfect for me. feel free to call me at (six five one) two three three-four three six three.

[wolmutt]

3pm on Monday works for me. CurlyQ does that work for you?

[curlyq]

I can do 3pm this afternoon. Where did you want to meet? I'll likely be on my bike if the weather holds. Did you want to just meet at Cupcake since we all know where it's at? We can sit on the patio there then also if rain holds out. My cell is 612-208-5354. I'll see you this afternoon.

Ryan

[wes]

we'll see you guys there! :beerchug: This is wes's fiancee, I'll make sure to bring him along, since he's the one with the mad fish skills! well, he hasn't killed anything in a while anyway, there was definitely a rough start.:goldfish:

I am having fun with the smiles!! :gay1:

[mtfatwork]

free to call me at (six five one) two three three-four three six three.

I think that may be the first time I have ever seen anyone spell out their phone number...:gay1:

[wes]

oh and I'm totally just coming for the cupcakes!!!:banana:

I love cupcakes:smileyeatingchoc: But don't worry I'll bring a book:book2: so I don't get too irritating like I am with all these smileys:rolleyes:

I'm totally gonna get wes kicked off tcmas for letting me put in so many smileys :lol_hitting:

alright this is the last one::bow:

[mtfatwork]

Oh wait, I get it Wes, you were speaking in code... because nobody on the internet can read.... :rolleyes: :poke: :tongue1:


Oh, and this one is for your better half:banana: :banana: :banana:




(just teasing Wes)

[wes]

I think that may be the first time I have ever seen anyone spell out their phone number...:gay1:

there are...what ever they're called... bots or something that can search for phone numbers for junk purposes. :spam: . I already get enough calls looking for "Juan" where they don't believe me when there's no juan here. I'm only realizing now how funny it is. No Juan's here man. :hat:

[curlyq]

Hey guys, thanks for meeting today. I learned alot....any my fiance is pumped about setting up a seahorse tank for the fuge! Awesome idea! Now all I need to find is a tank for the fuge. Anybody have a squarish tank around 20-30 gallons they're getting rid of?

[wes]

I had a great time meeting up, too. Great to see your setup, Matt. We're like neighbors, huh? Thanks again for stopping by, I'll let you know as anything develops. And Alena and I will certainly cash in on the pool this summer.

[wolmutt]

Yeah, we should definately do the pool thing. Also, it was nice meeting up with all of you. Its fun to first get to know someone through posts and then meet them in person. CurlyQ if you have to go as small as a 10 gallon you can get one at Wal-Mart for like $10; I personally would go for a 20 long.

[wes]

shouldda grabbed that eclipse on your way out! :censor: alena didn't know I was serious, I found out today, or she would've let me take it, maybe to sell it on craig's list to fund s'more other stuff. ha

[wolmutt]

yeah, but who knows what has been used in that tank. I have a 20 long but it has had copper and stuff in it.

[wes]

ahh, but ya could sell it on craig's list with some fresh water live bearers and get some cash ;-)

[curlyq]

That would have been a really good idea...any chance it's still down there, go snag it and give it a go.

[wes]

yeah, didn't really think of it till today. I even have some sword tails I think I'm going to get rid of anyway. bah! oh well, c'est la vie. I have permission for next time, though. heh.:dance: